Forecasting the Cargo Throughput for Small and Medium-sized Ports: Multi-stage Approach with Reference to the Multi-port System

Abstract

Purpose:The paper aims to elaborate on long-term throughput forecasts in Small and Medium-Sized ports (SMPs). The research problem relates to determining a method that is relevant for the long-term transhipment forecasting in SMPs. Design/Methodology/Approach: Research was applied to the Polish ports system consisting of three major ports (Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Świnoujście) and the minor port of Szczecin. Forecasts for the cargo groups in the major ports were produced using regression models where the model parameters were estimated with the Ordinary Least Squares Method. The obtained forecasts of the throughput of cargo groups in major Polish seaports were converted into dynamics indices. The resulting matrices of the cargo throughput dynamics indices established for the leading Polish seaports were used to prepare cargo throughput forecasts for the port of Szczecin. Findings: Elaborated throughput forecasts indicate that, in the future, the port in Szczecin will retain its universal character, and a moderate increase in the cargo volumes confirms that it will serve as a complementary port to the major ports in the range. The forecasted modal split of hinterland transport indicates the increasing importance of road transport, and a decreased rail and inland waterway transport to/from the hinterland. That is likely due to a lower cargo throughput and difficulties in organizing the rail and inland waterway corridors based on smaller freight volumes. Practical implications:The study provides a practical tool for long-term throughput and hinterland traffic forecasting in SMPs. It is addressed to port authorities as the method may be used in decision-making on capacity expansion and academics exploring the phenomenon of predictions in maritime transport. Originality/Values: The novel method of demand forecasting in SMPs includes relations between major and minor ports in the range and multi-staged validation of results. Research advances studies on the dynamics of multi-port systems.

Reserve Management Policy and Operational Performance of Ports in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Other scholars gave different objectives of the policy's as ranging from maintaining a stable exchange rate, promoting export competitiveness, managing capital flow to accumulating foreign reserves (Devereux & Sutherland, 2010;Chin & Lee, 2016;OCED, 2019). This implies that scholars have tried to study different aspects, mostly the internal factors that individually affect the operational performance of ports and these factors are basically influenced by the decision of the management and board while the external factors are sector wide or country wide factors, which are beyond the control of the company or management such as effect of external reserve management on Nigerian economic growth from 1985 to 2013, the response exchange rate to economic policy uncertainty in Russian and study on cargo throughput for small and medium sized ports with reference to the multi-port system in polish (Akinwunmi, Akanni & Bokola, 2016;Sohag, Gainetdinova & Mariev, 2022;Dariusz & Christian, 2021).…”